Posted by ros4GB [ros] on October 25, 1999 at 17:22:58 {DjTI9F5X/YdmhhsMJ.h27/SY5I9NtE}:
Dear Readers,
I have read several of your many postings since I made my first two posts. Some comments have been very kind, generous, and informative to me. Some still seem very concerned about determining my identity and credibility. The following is provided to help those still sitting on the fence, or feeling extremely critical of me.
You may recall the story about Schindler's List. It is about a German Army officer who used his position to bring relief and assistance to those suffering under the Nazi's. Schindler could have easily jumped out in the open and stated his indignation at how the Jews were being treated. He could have taken an open and public stand. Had he done so, he would have been morally right, but also very dead. I have no doubt that the SS or the Gestapo would have shot him upon learning of his stand. He would have become useless to the Jews as any source of help. Some of the aid he provided was only marginal and temporary, but others he helped to a great extent. If Schindler would have been shot for an open and public stand, he would have ceased to be of any service to those he could help in some way.
Before I go any further with this, please understand that I am in no way making any comparison of the Watch Tower Society or the Governing Body to the Nazi's. That would be wrong and totally unfair to the men I serve with at headquarters. The comparison is drawn to serve only one purpose, to help you understand the basis of my maintaining anonymity and even doubt about my credibility. From my position on the 'Body' I can perhaps effect some change, maybe only marginal, may even very great. Time will tell. For now, though, this keeps the leadership of the organization in some level of confusion and doubt about what to do regarding me.
So, now that I have a better understanding of how to keep my privacy and remain on the Governing Body, I have laid out some plans to begin the process of change. I am not certain of the results as this is still very new for me. It is new for me to admit to the disingenuousness of the organization. It is new to be on the Internet. (In my youth we could never have imagined such tools.) It is new for me to try and effect change by making an end-run around the stagnate leadership. It is new to talk with you and share many of your sentiments. It is new for me to realize how much I have shared in the problems many of you have had to endure. Because of this you will likely see growth on my part and changes in what I do on the Internet.
Keep in mind that the men I serve with are good and well-intentioned. They see the organization in the light of the fantasy they have inherited and continue to promote. But I believe that it is time for the bubble to burst. For 125 years we have lived life through the eyes and guidance of Russell, Rutherford, and Knorr to some extent, and more so today through the Governing Body. Many of you have molded your decisions and actions based upon 'suggestions' that are really treated if they were commands from God himself. For many of you, the Bubble burst a long time ago.
The book, 'The Nations Shall Know That I am Jehovah - How?' states in Chapter 4, after a long convoluted discussion, that the modern-day anointed class are a prophet like (and even greater than) the prophet Ezekiel; a prophet that is commissioned to speak in the Divine Name! That is, and must be by its very nature, a claim to being inspired. A claim that the organization has also denied. It is almost as if we teach two different belief systems at the same time. When the heat is turned up on one system, we point to our anchor in the other system. It seems almost too convenient to me, yet we have fallen into the same trap that many organized religions have.
While I fully appreciate and understand the premise of the chapter, and indeed the entire book, it has become clear to me that we are making claims that are not authorized by Jehovah. Further, the real prophet Ezekiel, in a prophetic vision, bored a hole into the Temple in Jerusalem. The inner Holy was only accessible to the High Priest, who typified Jesus Christ. Yet other priests were in the Holy of Holies engaging in things that were detestable to Jehovah.
Perhaps, through this forum, we can begin to see how the Governing Body has usurped the role of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, and has dared to go where even the angels will not tread. I hope to contribute to this exposure as a member of the Governing Body. Many others here are already doing a fine job. I am just one among you.
It is time for the truth to be opened up to you so that you can see what steps you may wish to take.
My next Post#4 is going to be an Open Letter to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses from me, their fellow member. I will be sending it shortly, and hope that it will begin to bring some desired results. More importantly, as the Bible says, there is nothing that is hidden which will not be uncovered or revealed. It is time. In fact, too much time has passed. Too many have suffered. Too many have been emotionally scarred. Too many have been distracted from loyalty to our Great God Jehovah into giving that loyalty to an organization. Jehovah says that he does not share his glory and worship is exclusive to him alone.
Therefore, it is time for us to think clearly whether we have been giving glory and worship to a 'systematic' religion rather than Jehovah himself. For so many years we have beaten on the Catholics for their 'worship' of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Yet we ignore the virtual worship accorded to the organization. We see the straw in the Catholic's eye and miss the rafter in our own eye.
This letter posted to you may seem stronger than anything I have earlier stated. And you are right, because I am now ready to make some moves here, and see what comes of it. I am not inspired. I am not a Prophet. I am not specially commissioned to do some special act. But, like Schindler, I may be able to do some good in the position I have. I will do all I can before I am identified or end my earthly course.
I understand that some of your reactions here may vary a great deal, from full appreciation to shear disbelief and even anger at me. I now understand that these forums allow for that kind of diversity. But, I also understand that this is something I must do. I must try my best to do what I strongly believe that Jehovah and Jesus would expect of me.
I give you my warm Christian love ----